WARRINGTON Women’s hockey 1st team kicked their 2024 off with a 1-0 home win against Winnington Park, although there wasn’t success for the men who tasted defeat at the double!
In a highly competitive game for the women, it took till the second half for the deadlock to be broken as both teams looked to shake off the Christmas rust.
The goal came from a well-rehearsed short corner set piece with Helen Fairhurst playing a slick one-two with Louise Unsworth before sweeping the ball goalwards, a deflection from a defender lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the goal.
Winnington came back at Warrington as tempers flared but found goalkeeper Tracy Jackson in top form with her defence marshalled by Olivia Mason in no mood to give up the clean sheet. In a grandstand finish, Winnington won a short corner which was defended by Sarah Gregson who was unlucky to commit a foul in the process. The retake saw Winnington advance on Jackson before Gloria Roden-Lui made the interception which prompted the final whistle.
Warrington Women’s Development Squad made it back-to-back wins with a 2-0 away victory at Crewe. Despite a long journey and a late start, Warrington started strong, laying siege to the host’s goal. The first goal came from a short corner, Katherine Parker saw a shot save before Bella Thornton seized on the loose ball and pushed the rebound over the line.
Warrington continued to control the game with Amy Molden, Emma Thelwell, and Nicole Williams controlling midfield despite the hosts growing increasingly physical as their frustrations grew. The win was secured deep in the second half from another short corner. Parker played the ball to Lauren Hayes who found Daniella Sutton at the back post to conclude a very good weekend for the Women’s section.
The weekend wasn’t so successful for the Men. The 1st team struggling for player availability had two games and lost both.
The Saturday saw a 2-1 home defeat to City of Manchester, a side that they’d previously beaten twice already this season. Manchester scored a scruffy short corner and a penalty stroke with Richard Cook scoring a drag flick for Warrington.
The Sunday started disastrously with an away game against Wilmslow starting 30 minutes earlier than Warrington had expected. The logistical error saw Warrington start with 6 players and not up to a full 11 until just before halftime. 2-0 down at halftime, Warrington attempted to bridge the gap and quickly pulled one back. Sam Pinion burst into the Wilmslow dee and unleashed a powerful strike that nicked off of Alan Livingstone’s stick and into the Wilmslow goal. As Warrington pushed for an equaliser, Wilmslow countered and managed to snaffle a 3rd and final goal against the run of play.
The 2nd team fell to a 5-0 away defeat at Crewe, plagued with unavailability the team had to call upon players who had minimal to no experience of hockey. Despite the overwhelming odds the team dug in and performed admirably. Goalkeeper, Nick Parry made some great saves to earn himself a man of the match award, but all players left the pitch knowing they gave 100% in difficult circumstances.
